20.10.08

The Paris municipal undertaker services were occupying this 1873 building as from 1905 until 1997, as a monopoly until 1993. In 2001 it was decided to make it to an artistic centre for the City of Paris and heavy reconstruction work has been made. It was opened officially October 11 and got the name of “104”, from its street address, 104 rue d’Aubervillers.

In total some 39 000 m² (420 000 ft² or 9.5 acres) offer room for all arts, exhibitions, concerts... There will also be a library, restaurants, bars... , but the day I was there, a few days after the inauguration, the place was still in preparation. I hope I will get some good reasons to return.

The building is certainly massive and has room for many exhibits. In your explanation you say "undertakers" as former exhibitors; do you mean morticians?? Just curious. Have a good week, Peter. Enjoy the waning days of summer.

I visited the weekend it opened and it wasn't really clear how it will be used. It is a little reminiscent of the Tate Modern in London, but the idea here is to use more as a space in which to create art. I'm not sure how many people will be tempted out there outside of any organised events, but my son loved it there. At the moment it's like a giant adventure playground!

marie-noyale:I think the architecture is fine; they have well used the old structures, but eveything is completely modern when it comes to equipment. Now, they just must make good use of it. Also the place is a bit "far away" and not so easy to reach.

adam:We could have met! I was also there during that weekend! Yes, Im' a bit worried about the difficulty to reach the place; it's a bit away from the streets you mostly take. You must really have a reason to go there!

Translate

Contact me

Subscribe To

Follow by Email

LINK TO MY PREVIOUS BLOG

My previous blog, PHO, was in operation for a year as from March 2007. It contains similar posts as this one, basically talking about different well known or more secrete sites in Paris. You can reach it by clicking HERE.